Responsible Sourcing

Responsible Sourcing

Metcash remains committed to the sourcing of products and services in a responsible manner. As a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), we work with our suppliers to ensure we maintain 100% Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) in all of our private label products.

We have been recognised for our efforts in using CSPO through a unique  partnership with the Taronga Conservation Society Tiger Exhibit and ‘Zoopermart’. This partnership aims to promote the use of products that contain 100% CSPO, and Metcash products are included in their interactive displays.

We are also committed to the phasing out of cage eggs in our private label range by the end of 2018, and are on track to achieve this.

All suppliers of timber to our Hardware pillar are 100% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certified. We are also working towards 100% FSC or PEFC certification for all of our private label brand toilet paper, tissues and paper towels by 2020.

Healthier food, healthier people and communities

We believe our business has a role in supporting healthy communities through  the development and ranging of nutritious healthy products, and through  creating programs and educational tools that help all consumers make healthy food choices.

The development of our Community Co range of products has enabled us to deliver a quality private label offer that excludes artificial flavours and colours. The brand also supports our local communities through the donation of a portion of sales proceeds to the IGA Community Chest Trust Fund.

Our IGA Family Program provides communities with access to a range of educational tools on how to live a healthier lifestyle, including recipes for healthy eating options. The program has been in existence for two years, with more than 20,000 families already registered and receiving materials to help live healthier lifestyles.

The program also partners with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden  Foundation (SAKGF) to provide our retail network with an avenue to support onsite gardens and kitchens in schools. The SAKGF assists schools to develop a program that teaches students how to grow and harvest produce and cook delicious food, helping to establish strong fresh food principles from an early age.

Since the commencement of the partnership in July 2017, we have supported 30 school kitchen garden programs across Australia.